Assessing the effectiveness of school feeding program in combating malnutrition, enhancing health and improve school performance among school-aged children at mayera primary school -a case study of Mary's meals

Malnutrition remains a critical public health and educational barrier for school-aged children in Malawi (UNICEF 2023), hindering both physical development and academic potential. School feeding programs (SFPs) have emerged as a key intervention to address this challenge. This study assessed the effectiveness of the Mary’s Meals school feeding program in combating malnutrition, enhancing health and improving school performance among children at Mayera Primary School in Malawi. Using a descriptive case study design with a qualitative approach, the research gathered data from a purposively and randomly selected sample of 10 participants, including pupils, teachers, school administrators and program coordinators, primarily through structured questionnaires.The findings demonstrate that the program has a strong, positive impact on multiple fronts. It successfully alleviates immediate hunger, leading to marked improvements in pupils' daily energy levels and a reported reduction in common illnesses. This direct nutritional benefit translated into a dramatic increase in daily school attendance, which rose from approximately 75% to over 92%, as the guaranteed meal became a powerful incentive for consistent enrolment and punctuality. In the classroom, teachers observed enhanced concentration, more pro-social behavior and greater academic engagement, as children were finally able to focus and participate actively in lessons.However, the study also identified significant operational and sustainability challenges. Daily implementation is hampered by logistical hurdles such as inadequate cooking infrastructure, unreliable supply chains and a lack of basic resources. More critically, the program's long-term future is jeopardized by its deep dependency on external donor funding and the unpaid labor of community volunteers, creating a model vulnerable to collapse. The study concludes that while the Mary’s Meals program is a highly effective and transformative short-term intervention, its enduring success requires a strategic evolution. To ensure lasting benefits, recommendations are made for fostering greater community ownership, integrating local agricultural initiatives like school gardens and advocating for supportive partnerships with local government structures. This shift is essential for building a resilient foundation that secures the program's vital role in the community for years to come.